Zac Brown brought the lack of traditional country in today’s music to the forefront in his controversial comments over a Luke Bryan song during a time when mostly substance-lacking rhetoric of sun-tanned legs, tailgates, and whiskey infiltrated the airwaves. Kacey Musgraves began the process of breaking down the barrier in radio with songs from her 2013 acclaimed album Same Trailer, Different Park, and foreshadowed the emergence of traditional to the forefront with her subsequent CMA wins. This past fall, Chris Stapleton brought the sound back to the masses with his 2015 CMA wins and performance. Now, the Brothers Osborne are cementing the return of traditional country with a contemporary flair in their debut album, Pawn Shop.
Kicking off with the banjo-filled “Dirt Rich”, TJ’s intoxicating baritone depicts the gritty attributes of Americana – with descriptions of a squeaky screened doors, a Cadillac up on cement blocks, and a seemingly “drunk” mailbox, the listener into a visual journey of “American Pie,” hardworking individuals still getting by on the rougher sphere of life. Title track “Pawn Shop,” Springsteen-sounding “American Crazy,” “previously released single “Rum,” and “Down Home” follow the down-to-earth message throughout the album – one gruffly depicts the benefits of going second-hand, while the others pay homage to their town of Deale, Maryland. John really shines on these songs, his guitar solos comparable to blues greats B.B. King and Jonny Lang in execution – a rarity in mainstream country, John’s capabilities with a guitar could carry a song without vocals.
Each song also illustrates the truth of America, the similarities and differences throughout our nation: “Most people we grew up with don’t go to these beautiful beaches,” says TJ. “They can’t afford to do it. They don’t have the time for it. What we’re most familiar with is people going to the local bars and hanging out with each other.” John adds, “We tried to have the biggest time possible with what little we had. ‘Rum’ explains that.” The brothers agree, “We had to say it from our own perspective.” (quote courtesy of Universal Music)
And for those who appreciate a bit more romance, Pawn Shop offers a plethora of heartfelt tracks. Their highest ranking single to date, “Stay A Little Longer,” entrances the listener with TJ’s come-hither musicality and John’s three minute guitar solo. “21 Summer” is a lovelorn journey of a California summer, the most comparable to contemporary country radio today, while “Heart-Shaped Locket” adds a Blue Oyster Cult inspired guitar rift to the suspicious nature of the song.
Every one of the 11 tracks on Pawn Shop are a stand-out in their own right, however two are especially captivating – “Greener Pastures,” a 420-friendly anthem of moving on, and “Loving Me Back,” a heart-tugging duet with LeeAnn Womack.
“Greener Pastures” is everything you could want from a country song – written by the Brothers, Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, this infectious track is straight out of the Johnny Cash playbook. Vulgarity, dominance, pride, all set to a traditional country rhythm and instrumental one would find on the Grand Ole Opry stage. A true masterpiece, the combination of perfect insults and traditional musicality.
In the simplest of terms, “Loving Me Back” is a masterpiece. With the delicate addition of renowned Womack, the sixth track is both subtle and heavy – it’s an intoxicating elixir of vulnerability and longing, the fight between the high of the musicians life (which can be thankless) versus the high of finding pure love (and them reciprocating).
You get me high, you get me stoned. It’s a ride I’ve never been on. It’s a binge, it’s a buzz, it’s a drunk I can’t find in no glass. Yea I finally found something worth loving that’s loving me back.
Driving home, the closing track “Ain’t My Fault” is a powerful testament of placing blame on everything but oneself. Set to driven guitar riffs and up-tempo drum beats, the chorus is a hand-clapping, self-righteous plea worthy of hearing at a Sunday pulpit. Intense and somehow provocative, this closer leaves the listener amped for what is left to come from this exceptional duo.
Full of twangy banjo strums with gritty and truthful lyrics, Pawn Shop is the quintessential love child of the greatest country and blues legends, full of raw emotions and realistic depictions of Americana. The influences of earlier heavyweights such as Bob Seger and Hank Williams are evident, as Pawn Shop is the finest album to be released through a major label in some time. Superlative songwriting, combined with TJ’s gripping baritone and John’s superior guitar abilities, will secure them an early spot on many “Best of” lists.
You can find this debut release on all digital outlets and at your local music distributor.
Pawn Shop Track Listing:
1. Dirt Rich (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Barry Dean)
2. 21 Summer (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Craig Wiseman)
3. Stay A Little Longer (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Shane McAnally)
4. Pawn Shop (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Sean McConnell)
5. Rum (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Barry Dean)
6. Loving Me Back (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
7. American Crazy (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Ross Copperman)
8. Greener Pastures (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris)
9. Down Home (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Jessi Alexander)
10. Heart Shaped Locket (TJ Osborne, Lisa Carver and Andi Zack)
11. It Ain’t My Fault (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Lee Thomas Miller)
Rating: Gotta take a listen